Violent protest erupts in Spanish city of Burgos

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-1-12 9:04:38

A group of around 300 people caused disturbances on Friday night in the northern Spanish city of Burgos, local media reported.

What started out as a demonstration against a decision to reduce the access of traffic in one of the most important streets in the city Calle Victoria, grew as people answered the call to turn out on the social networks on the internet.

The action ended with anti-disturbance police having to take action as a group of violent protestors began to burn rubbish containers, break shop windows, phone boxes and attack bus stops.

Stones, glass bottles and other objects were thrown at the police as the disturbances continued into the early hours of Saturday morning, long after the original protestors had left the scene.

It appears as if the violent protestors hijacked what was intended to be a peaceful protest by the majority of the demonstrators, who have been protesting against a decision to reduce an important four-lane road into a road with just two lanes of traffic, while also significantly reducing the number of available parking spaces.

According to earlier reports, the original platform to oppose the modifications included the left wing political party, Izquierda Unida, and the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Burgos. This group dissolved on Friday afternoon and insists it did not call for the protests.